Tennis is turning upside down

First Rafa. Then Roger. And finally Clijsters. Today was a very unique day in the tennis world. In the afternoon, America’s biggest fish, Mardy Fish, nabbed a big one, knocking off former world number one Rafael Nadal with relative ease. Then another guy who has never really broken through, Tomas Berdych, took down Federer in straight sets. Go figure, the two best players of our generation, go down in the same day. And neither even win a set?

It feels as if the tennis world is turned upside down. And currently Novak Djokovic is down a set to another guy who has never turned the corner, Gael Monfils. Now I do not want to get too optimistic, but has Mardy Fish finally turned the corner? Can America finally have a glimpse of hope?

I am beginning to believe in Fish. But believe with cautious optimism. Nadal was coming off of an excruciating match yesterday where he spent 3 hours and 38 minutes on the court, followed by a 70 minute doubles match (so nearly 5 hours on the court). In addition, Nadal had severe burns to his fingers. But a win against Rafa is a win against Rafa. And as for Berdych, he has beaten Roger in three of their last four matchups. Perhaps the 25-year-old has Federer’s number?

All I know is, if Djokovic is to lose to Monfils tonight, go figure in predicting what will happen on the men’s side at this year’s US Open. And do not even get me started on the women’s game, considering Kim Clijsters, the two-time-defending champion has withdrawn due to injury.